Duke Wins Title At Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational

Saturday, March 19

Statesboro, Ga.

All Day

Duke University

Schenkel/EZ Go Invitational

Duke Wins Title At Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational

3/20/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf

By: Duke Sports Information

March 20, 2005

STATESBORO, Ga. - Behind sub-par final rounds from Ryan Blaum and Michael Schachner, Duke made up a four-stroke deficit to take home the title at the Schenkel E-Z-Go Invitational, played at the par-72, 6,945-yard Forest Heights Country Club. It was Duke's second team victory of the 2004-05 campaign, as the Blue Devils defended their home course at the Coca-Cola Duke Golf Classic in the fall. Blaum and fellow junior Nathan Smith both finished one-over-par, tying for sixth overall.

The Blue Devils posted a three-round total of 868 (+4), one shot better than runner-up Auburn, but 14 shots better than third-place finishers Tennessee and Georgia. Mark Anderson of South Carolina and Jon David Kennedy of Georgia Southern tied for the individual title, both finishing one-under.

Blaum fired a 68 on Sunday, tying for the second-best 18 holes of the tournament. That vaulted him into sixth place. Smith, who has been Duke's most consistent performer all season, sandwiched a pair of 73s around a 71 and also finished one-over par and tied for sixth.

Schachner overcame a score of 80 in the second round to break into the top-20, posting a three-under-par 69 in the final round. He ended up tied for 19th with a five-over-par score of 221 (72-80-69). Sophomore Jake Grodzinsky was only one shot behind Schachner, finishing with a six-over-par 222 (72-74-76). Freshman Michael Quagliano rounded out the Blue Devil scores, placing in a tie for 53rd at 229 (78-71-80).

The Blue Devils will have a weekend off before returning to the state of Georgia on April 2-3 for the Cleveland Golf/Augusta State Invitational.